Analysis of end-user satisfaction with electronic health records in college/university healthcare.

ObjectiveTo determine levels of Electronic Health Record (EHR) satisfaction in order to add to the body of knowledge and assist professionals in the college/university health field with system/vendor selection. Methods: Nine health centers, all within highly selective colleges and universities, participated in this benchmarking study. Multidisciplinary staff (n = 316) received an anonymous 32-item survey to assess levels of agreement/satisfaction on statements pertaining to their EHR's functionality. Results: The EHRs most commonly used were Point and Click, Medicat, Allscripts, and EPIC. There was considerable variation on levels of user satisfaction/agreement within features among the EHR systems, but differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: No systems emerged as clear "winners" in terms of user satisfaction. Features were identified within systems that can be leveraged to meet specific care delivery and quality reporting needs among college/university health professionals, and could be considered in the use of EHRs by health services.

First Use of a Serogroup B Meningococcal Vaccine in the US in Response to a University Outbreak.

BACKGROUND: In 2013-2014, an outbreak of serogroup B meningococcal disease occurred among persons linked to a New Jersey university (University A). In the absence of a licensed serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccine in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration authorized use of an investigational MenB vaccine to control the outbreak. An investigation of the outbreak and response was undertaken to determine the population at risk and assess vaccination coverage. METHODS: The epidemiologic investigation relied on compilation and review of case and population data, laboratory typing of meningococcal isolates, and unstructured interviews with university staff. Vaccination coverage data were collected during the vaccination campaign held under an expanded-access Investigational New Drug protocol. RESULTS: Between March 25, 2013, and March 10, 2014, 9 cases of serogroup B meningococcal disease occurred in persons linked to University A. Laboratory typing results were identical for all 8 isolates available. Through May 14, 2014, 89.1% coverage with the 2-dose vaccination series was achieved in the target population. From the initiation of MenB vaccination through February 1, 2015, no additional cases of serogroup B meningococcal disease occurred in University A students. However, the ninth case occurred in March 2014 in an unvaccinated close contact of University A students. CONCLUSIONS: No serogroup B meningococcal disease cases occurred in persons who received 1 or more doses of 4CMenB vaccine, suggesting 4CMenB may have protected vaccinated individuals from disease. However, the ninth case demonstrates that carriage of serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis among vaccinated persons was not eliminated.

The young stroke patient: A need for specialized group support systems.

Young stroke patients (<65 years of age) account annually for more than one quarter of the people who survive a stroke. This article demonstrates the necessity of providing ongoing stroke support networks for these young stroke survivors and their families and caregivers. Through a support group system, members have the opportunity to access education, socialization, emotional support, and community interaction. The authors utilized a survey format to interview young stroke survivors who belong to support groups and leaders of stroke support groups. The survey results detail common practices of Chicago metropolitan area stroke support groups, their typical formats, and their stated goals. These results document a definitively expressed need for young survivors to participate in peer groups addressing their different set of circumstances.